Valencia CF Races Against Time To Reinforce Defense And Fend Off Transfer Interest
The transfer window is heating up at Valencia CF, and the club’s ambitions are clear: reinforce the squad, steady the defense, and push for success on multiple fronts. As the clock ticks toward the close of the winter market, Valencia’s management is working overtime, balancing urgent injury woes, high-stakes transfer negotiations, and the relentless demands of a packed fixture list. With the Copa del Rey looming and LaLiga form under scrutiny, the next few days could well define the club’s season.
Top of the agenda is shoring up a defense that’s been left threadbare by injuries. Valencia’s pursuit of Dutch center-back Justin de Haas, currently plying his trade at Famalicão in Portugal, has grown increasingly intense. The 25-year-old defender, renowned for his imposing stature and calm distribution from the back, fits the mold coach Carlos Corberán is desperate to add. According to Superdeporte, club officials have been in deep talks with de Haas’s representatives for several days. The urgency is palpable: with Mouctar Diakhaby sidelined long-term and paperwork underway to unregister him from the squad, Valencia’s need for a new central defender is immediate.
“The situation hasn’t changed; it’s an urgent situation due to Diakhaby’s injury, and we’re waiting for a signing to be finalised,” Corberán admitted in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Copa del Rey showdown with Burgos CF. The coach was candid about the club’s transfer strategy, emphasizing, “More than the budget, I focus on the needs, the profile and the positions. The important thing is that they have quality, commitment, and personality, with a desire to contribute and help this great club turn around the situation we’re in.”
De Haas’s contractual situation has played right into Valencia’s hands. With his deal at Famalicão set to expire in June 2026 and extension talks stalling, the Portuguese club is under pressure to negotiate now or risk losing him on the cheap next year. Other European clubs are circling, but Valencia’s general director Ron Gourlay is reportedly preparing a decisive offer in the coming hours. The Dutchman’s profile—a blend of height, composure, and experience in a competitive league—has made him a consensus favorite among the club’s decision-makers. As the squad braces for a grueling second half of the season, with fixture congestion and squad rotation looming large, the need for reinforcements is non-negotiable.
But the transfer intrigue doesn’t stop there. Across Iberia, FC Porto has intensified their interest in Valencia’s own midfield dynamo, Javi Guerra. The 22-year-old Spaniard has turned heads with his growth potential and attributes tailored for possession-based, high-intensity football—qualities Porto’s coach Francesco Farioli and president André Villas-Boas prize. Villarreal, too, is monitoring Guerra’s situation, setting the stage for a possible bidding war. According to Tribuna VCF, Guerra’s performances have not gone unnoticed, and the coming days could see his future take a dramatic turn.
While the rumor mill churns, Corberán’s focus remains on the immediate task: navigating a tricky Copa del Rey tie against Burgos CF. The coach struck a respectful tone, acknowledging the challenge posed by a Burgos side fresh off eliminating Getafe CF. “They’re very organised defensively, very solid, it’s difficult to create chances against them, and we’re really excited about the possibility of reaching the next round. Our goal is to reach the quarterfinals. That’s my desire, my dream, and the responsibility we have,” Corberán declared.
Valencia’s preparations haven’t been helped by a mounting injury list. Thierry, Diakhaby, and Julen are all ruled out, while Raba remains a doubt due to Achilles tendon discomfort and a calf strain. Gayà and César Tárrega are managing minor knocks, with Gayà set to miss the start of the Burgos match. Despite the setbacks, Corberán expressed confidence in his available players, particularly in the goalkeeping department: “For tomorrow, regardless of which goalkeeper plays, I have complete confidence in both of them, and both can contribute.”
The fixture congestion has left little time for rest or tactical tweaks. “We’re playing the first game on Sunday, and playing with less than 72 hours to recover isn’t ideal for the following match,” Corberán noted, hinting at the physical and mental toll on his squad. Yet, there’s no room for excuses. The coach insists, “We’re going to focus on competing tomorrow,” and reminded his players and fans alike of the club’s proud traditions and expectations: “When we talk about the demands of Valencia CF, we’re talking about the demands of LaLiga and representing the club in the best possible way in any competition.”
Corberán’s approach to the transfer market is pragmatic but ambitious. With at least one open squad spot to fill and the possibility of further departures, the club is working on multiple fronts. “The club continue working on those signings—in the plural—that I’ve mentioned,” he revealed, keeping his cards close to his chest regarding other potential targets. The coach’s involvement in recruitment is hands-on: “We do parallel work, monitoring the situation, and there is continuous communication to identify the team’s needs. We might talk more about player profiles, whether we should consider a player to play on the left or right, for example… These profiles are discussed and debated.”
As for the mood in the dressing room, the recent draw against Elche CF has only sharpened the team’s hunger. “Having not achieved the victory we wanted in that game, we are even more eager to get one in the next LALIGA match. Now we are focused on tomorrow’s game and hope to also get a victory against Getafe CF,” Corberán shared. The coach is acutely aware of the fans’ desire for a turnaround: “Valencia CF fans want to see the team winning games. The coach is giving his all, his heart and soul, and feeling the pain of seeing the team where I never want to see this club. We are all responsible for turning the situation around.”
With the Copa del Rey tie against Burgos CF just hours away and the transfer window in full swing, Valencia CF stands at a crossroads. The coming days promise decisive action—both on the pitch and in the boardroom. Whether it’s the arrival of Justin de Haas to shore up the defense, a dramatic twist in Javi Guerra’s future, or a hard-fought cup victory, the club’s supporters won’t have to wait long for answers. One thing’s for sure: the sense of urgency and ambition at Mestalla has rarely been higher.
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